Gift box playset

ABSTRACT

Described, is a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. The gift box shaped container includes a hack panel, two side panels, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel serving as a lid. The lid is hingedly connected with the back panel and includes a decorative ribbon thereon. The front panel is hingedly connected with the bottom panel. Further, a latching mechanism connected with the lid and is operable for locking against the front panel. The latching mechanism includes a pull cord ribbon extending therefrom, with the pull cord ribbon connected with the latching mechanism such that pulling on the pull cord ribbon actuates the latching mechanism to cause the lid to detach from the front panel, thereby allowing a user to lift the lid and lower the front panel to convert the gift box shaped container into a playset.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/233,235, filed on Sep. 25, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of invention

The present invention relates to gift boxes and, more particularly, to agift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset.

(2) Description of Related Art

Playsets have long been known in the art and are often used to provide asetting upon which a child or user can play with other item, such asanimals, cars, etc. Further, containers come in a variety of shapes andforms; however, nothing heretofore devised has provided a gift boxshaped playset.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a gift box shaped playset.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to gift boxes and, more particularly, to agift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. The giftbox shaped container includes a back panel, two side panels, a frontpanel, a bottom panel, and a top panel serving as a lid. The lid ishingedly connected with the back panel and includes a decorative ribbonthereon. The front panel is hingedly connected with the bottom panel.Further, a latching mechanism connected with the lid and is operable forlocking against the front panel. The latching mechanism includes a pullcord ribbon extending therefrom, with the pull cord ribbon connectedwith the latching mechanism such that pulling on the pull cord ribbonactuates the latching mechanism to cause the lid to detach from thefront panel, thereby allowing a user to lift the lid and lower the frontpanel to convert the gift box shaped container into a playset.

In another aspect, the pull cord ribbon is dispersed alongside thedecorative ribbon.

In yet another aspect, the front panel includes at least one inprotruding therefrom and the latching mechanism includes a biased latchthat is operable for clasping, against the pin and locking the frontpanel against the lid.

Additionally, at least one side wall is hingedly connected with thebottom panel.

Further, the at least one side wall is formed to simulate a dance floorand includes a light thereon and a translucent top surface to allowlight to pass therethrough.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present inventionalso comprises a method for forming and using the invention describedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspectsof the invention in conjunction with reference to the followingdrawings, where:

FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting a gift box playset according tovarious embodiments of the present invention, illustrating both a closedconfiguration, in which the gift box playset appears to be a gift boxwith ribbons, and an open configuration, in which the gift box playsetis opened out to display a playset therein;

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting the gift box playset in the closedconfiguration, in which the gift box playset appears to be a gift boxwith ribbons;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the gift box playset in the closedconfiguration, depicting a user pulling on one of the ribbons to actuatea latching mechanism to open the playset;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the gift box playset in the openconfiguration, depicting a close-up view of a latching mechanism; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the gift box playset, depicting a frontwall of the gift box being folded down into the open configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to gift boxes and more particularly, to agift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. Thefollowing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill inthe art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in thecontext of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as avariety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein maybe applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present inventionis not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the presentinvention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limitedto these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in orderto avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which arefiled concurrently with this specification and which are open to publicinspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papersand documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the featuresdisclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims,abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features servingthe same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state“means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing aspecific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step”clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. Inparticular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is notintended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom,forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used forconvenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particularfixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locationsand/or directions between various portions of an object.

(1) Description

The present invention relates to gift boxes and, more particularly, to agift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. As shownin FIG. 1, the gift box playset 100 is convertible between a closedconfiguration 102, in which the gift box playset 100 appears to be agift box with ribbons, and an open configuration 104, in which the giftbox playset 100 is opened out to display a playset 106 therein. The giftbox playset 100 can be formed in any suitable manner that allows forconversion between open 104 and closed 102 configurations. In otherwords and as can be appreciated, there are a number of w ways by whichthe gift box playset 100 can be opened to reveal a playset 106. As anon-limiting example, the playset 100 includes a bottom panel 110 with ahingedly connected (e.g., via a living or mechanical hinge) front panel112. A left side panel 114 is also hingedly connected with the bottompanel 110. In various embodiments, the back panel 116 and right sidepanel 118 are fixedly connected with each other and the bottom panel110, thereby forming a stable backstop and right side wall to theplayset 106. A top panel 120 is hingedly connected with the back panel116. It should also be understood that the back panel 116 and/or rightside panel 118 can be hingedly connected with the bottom panel 110 inother embodiments. In either embodiment, the front panel 112 can befolded down (as shown) to expose the playset 106 within. The playsetitself 106 is any suitable toy, device, or playset shape or item thatcan be used with other toys and other items. As a non-limiting example,the playset 106 is a table with balloons, chairs, and an illuminateddance floor (formed by the left side panel 114). The various componentscan be formed of any suitable material, a non-limiting example of whichincludes plastic.

Importantly and as shown in FIG. 2, the gift box playset 100, when inthe closed configuration 102, appears to be a gift box 200 withdecorative ribbons 202 affixed with at least the top panel 120. Thisparticular configuration provides the sensation or emotions to a childthat a surprise present is inside and that a gift box needs to beopened.

In order to open the gift box playset 100 and as shown in FIG. 3, a userpulls on one of the ribbons to actuate a latching mechanism.Specifically, one of the ribbons is a pull cord ribbon 300 that isoperably connected with a latching mechanism. While the other ribbons202 are decorative and flow freely around the pull cord ribbon 300, thepull cord ribbon 300 provides a distinct function and is not encumberedby the other ribbons 202. For example, while the other ribbons 202 areglued or otherwise adhered to the top panel 120, the pull cord ribbon300 is connected with the latching mechanism as described in furtherdetail below. Further, the pull cord ribbon 300 is dispersed orotherwise alongside and protrudes from the decorative ribbons 202 toappear as if it is just a part of the decorative ribbon and conceal itspurpose as a pull cord to the latching mechanism.

FIG. 4 illustrates the pull cord ribbon 300 as rolled up and out of theway for illustrative purposes. The latching mechanism 400 is anysuitable mechanism or device that can be actuated by pulling on the pullcord ribbon 300 to release another component. As a non-limiting example,the latching mechanism 400 can be a biased (e.g., spring loaded) latch(or other mechanism) that clamps (or holds) around the pins or clasps(shown in FIG. 5). In this example, the pull cord ribbon 300 isconnected with the biased latch such that pulling on the pull cordribbon 300 causes the biased latch to retract from or otherwise releasethe pins.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pins 500 protrude from a front panel 112 of thegift box playset 100. The top panel 120 includes the latching mechanism400. In some embodiments, the latching mechanism 400 includes holes 502(or other receptors) for receiving the pins 500. When the pins 500 arewithin the holes, the biased latch clasps or otherwise engages with thepins 500 to affix the front panel 112 against the top panel 120 and,thereby close the gift box playset 100.

Alternatively, by pulling on the pull cord ribbon 300, the biased latchis withdrawn from the pins 500, thereby allowing a user to fold out thefront panel 112. For example, FIG. 5 depicts the front panel 112 of thegift box being folded down into the open configuration. Thus, it shouldbe noted that at least the lid (top panel 120) is hingedly connectedwith the back panel 116 and the front panel 112 is hingedly connectedwith the floor (bottom panel 110). Thus, when the front panel 112 isfolded up, the lid (top panel 120) can be locked against the front)panel 112 using the latching mechanism to hold the gift box in theclosed configuration. Alternatively, the lid (top panel 120) of the giftbox can be folded up and back into the open configuration, with thefront panel 112 being folded down, to expose the playset 106 therein.

It should be noted that the various panels and components of the giftbox playact 100 can be formed in any desires shape or otherwisedecorated in any suitable manner to be coordinated with the theme of theparticular playset 106. As a non-limiting example, the left side panel114 (or any other panel) can be formed as an elevated box dance floor.Thus, in this embodiment, the left side panel 114 includes lights (e.g.,L.E.D.s) and a power source (e.g., battery), and the relevant switchingand wires as are necessary to allow a user to selectively illuminate thelights. Further, in some embodiments, a top surface 130 of the dancefloor is formed of a translucent plastic so that light passestherethrough to simulate a lighted dancefloor. As can be appreciated, agift box provides excitement to the consumer as it appears as a realpresent, while when opened, the girt box converts to a play set.

Finally, while this invention has been described in terms of severalembodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognizethat the invention may have other applications in other environments. Itshould be noted that many embodiments and implementations are possible.Further, the following claims are in no way intended to limit the scopeof the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. Inaddition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke ameans-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, anyelements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, arenot intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if theclaim otherwise includes the word “means”. Further, while particularmethod steps have been recited in a particular order, the method stepsmay occur in any desired order and fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gift box playset, comprising: a gift or shapedcontainer, the gift box shaped container having a back panel, two sidepanels, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel serving as a lid;wherein the lid is hingedly connected with the back panel and includes adecorative ribbon thereon; wherein the front panel is hingedly connectedwith the bottom panel; and a latching mechanism connected with the lidand being operable for locking against the front panel, the latchingmechanism having a pull cord ribbon extending therefrom, with the pullcord ribbon connected with the latching mechanism such that pulling onthe pull cord ribbon actuates the latching mechanism to cause the lid todetach from the front panel, thereby allowing a user to lift the lid andlower the front panel to convert the gift box shaped container into aplayset.
 2. The gift box playset as set forth in claim 1, wherein thepull cord ribbon is dispersed alongside the decorative ribbon.
 3. Thegift box playset as set forth in claim 2, wherein the front panelincludes at least one pin protruding therefrom and the latchingmechanism includes a biased latch that is operable for clasping againstthe pin and locking the front panel against the lid.
 4. The gift boxplayset as set forth in claim 3, wherein at least one side wall ishingedly connected with the bottom panel.
 5. The gift box playset as setforth in claim 4, wherein the at least one side wall is formed tosimulate a dance floor and includes a light thereon and a translucenttop surface to allow light to pass therethrough.
 6. The gift box playsetas set forth in claim 1, wherein the front panel includes at least onepin protruding therefrom and the latching mechanism includes a biasedlatch that is operable for clasping against the pin and locking thefront panel against the lid.
 7. The gift box playset as set forth inclaim 1, wherein at least one side wall is hingedly connected with thebottom panel.
 8. The gift box playset as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe at least one side wall is formed to simulate a dance floor andincludes a light thereon and a translucent top surface to allow light topass therethrough.